Deputy Head of Safeguarding (North and South)
Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent Location: Regional based positions within a defined Lift Schools geographical hub covering the North or the South. Regular travel to regional schools and occasional national travel will be expected.
Help shape the future of safeguarding across one of England’s largest school trusts.
At Lift Schools, safeguarding isn’t simply a statutory responsibility, it’s at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re looking for an experienced Deputy Head of Safeguarding to join our national safeguarding team and help strengthen safeguarding practice across our network of 59 schools, educating more than 35,000 children and young people. This is a rare opportunity to influence safeguarding at scale. Working alongside our Head of Safeguarding, Regional Education Directors, Principals and Designated Safeguarding Leads, you’ll provide professional support and constructive challenge that helps ensure every school delivers the very highest standards of safeguarding. If you’re passionate about protecting children and want your expertise to make a difference far beyond a single setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Why this role matters
As Deputy Head of Safeguarding, you’ll help shape the culture, systems and practice that keep thousands of children safe every day. You’ll work alongside school leaders to strengthen safeguarding practice, build professional capability, identify emerging risks and ensure every school is confident, compliant and fully prepared for inspection.
This role is about working alongside school leaders to strengthen safeguarding practice. You’ll build trusted relationships, provide expert advice, coach colleagues through complex situations and help create a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
You’ll combine oversight with practical support, helping schools navigate complex safeguarding issues while ensuring children remain at the centre of every decision.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for a safeguarding professional who shares our belief that every child deserves to feel safe, valued and supported.
Potential backgrounds
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL
- Senior school leader with responsibility for safeguarding
- Local Authority Safeguarding Adviser or Education Safeguarding Officer
- Social Worker, Team Manager or Child Protection professional with extensive safeguarding expertise
- Safeguarding leader within a Multi‑Academy Trust or another education organisation
Key strengths you’ll bring
- Significant safeguarding experience within education, children’s services or a related safeguarding environment
- Excellent knowledge of statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Experience working collaboratively with multi‑agency partners
- The ability to analyse information, identify risk and provide clear, evidence‑based advice
- The credibility and confidence to coach, influence and constructively challenge senior leaders
- A calm, compassionate and collaborative approach to supporting schools through complex safeguarding situations
Above all, you’ll be someone who believes that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and who is passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people.
We offer you
- Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career
- Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we’ve got you covered
- Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals
Equal Opportunity
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job‑share, part‑time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Recruitment process
Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Applicants will undergo online checks, an Enhanced DBS check, references and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
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